U.S. patent application number 11/706160 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for telescoping power medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Minka Lighting Inc.. Invention is credited to Nelson Caldani.
Application Number | 20080031012 11/706160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38973831 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080031012 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caldani; Nelson |
February 7, 2008 |
TELESCOPING POWER MEDIUM
Abstract
A telescoping power medium which can be telescopically
positioned at any one of several distances and has an outer
collapsible conductor surrounding an inner collapsible conductor.
For example, a telescoping light fixture arm, the arm being adapted
to electrically connect a lighting track to a light fixture.
Inventors: |
Caldani; Nelson; (Wadsworth,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & MCKENZIE LLP
Pennzoil Place, South Tower, 711 Louisiana, Suite 3400
HOUSTON
TX
77002-2716
US
|
Assignee: |
Minka Lighting Inc.
Corona
CA
|
Family ID: |
38973831 |
Appl. No.: |
11/706160 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/648 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 21/22 20130101;
F21V 21/35 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/648 |
International
Class: |
F21V 21/00 20060101
F21V021/00 |
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A light fixture, comprising, a. a lighting track; b. a base
coupled to the lighting track; c. a lamp housing coupled to the
base; and d. a telescoping arm, the arm having a first end and a
second end, the first end of the arm being attached to the base and
the second end of the arm being attached to the lamp housing,
wherein the telescoping arm allows the lamp housing to be
telescopically positioned at any one of several distances from the
base and wherein the telescoping arm comprises an outer collapsible
conductor surrounding an inner collapsible conductor.
9. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the lamp housing is
pivotable from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the telescoping arm.
10. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the lamp housing is 360
degrees rotatable around the axis of the base.
11. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the outer collapsible
conductor comprises a conductive material.
12. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the outer collapsible
conductor comprises a low voltage material.
13. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the inner collapsible
conductor comprises a conductive material.
14. The light fixture of claim 13, wherein the inner collapsible
conductor is brass, aluminum, tin, copper, steel, or an alloy.
15. The light fixture of claim 8, further comprising insulation
between the inner collapsible conductor and the outer collapsible
conductor.
16. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the lighting track
supplies power to the light housing via the base and the
telescoping arm.
17. The light fixture of claim 8, wherein the lamp housing further
comprises a light bulb.
18. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein the light bulb is a line
voltage, low voltage incandescent, halogen, xenon, fluorescent,
metal halide, high and low pressure sodium or LED bulb.
19. The light fixture of claim 7, wherein the outer collapsible
conductor and the inner collapsible conductor conducts high, low or
line voltage.
20. A telescoping light fixture arm, the arm having a first end and
a second end, the first end of the arm being adapted to
electrically connect to a lighting track and the second end of the
arm being adapted to electrically connect to a lamp housing,
wherein the arm comprises an outer collapsible conductor
surrounding an inner collapsible conductor and wherein the
telescoping arm allows the lamp housing to be telescopically
positioned at any one of several distances from the base.
Description
PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH STATEMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention relates to a telescoping power medium. The
invention is further directed to a light fixture that has a
telescoping arm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Track or rail lighting fixtures suspended from ceilings are
usually hung from the track via fixed length lighting fixtures.
Once attached, if the height of the light fixture is to be
adjusted, the lighting fixture must be removed and a new lighting
fixture of a different height must be placed on the track, assuming
the consumer has multiple fixed length lighting fixtures available.
The inconvenience of disassembling the light fixture, changing the
light fixture and reattaching the light fixture to the track
warrants a mechanism that would simplify the adjustment of the
height of the light fixture. This inconvenience would also be
applicable to any situations where a power medium provides power
remotely from the power source.
[0006] Some track lighting fixtures do not allow the light source
to be directed in more than one direction for the purposes of art
or trade displays. The ability to direct light from either the base
of the light fixture or the light fixture would be advantageous to
those in the lighting arts. To be able to tilt, swivel or pivot the
light without moving the track and/or fixtures would make it easier
to set up and break down displays.
[0007] Current track lighting telescoping fixtures utilizes two
arms wherein each arm acts as a conductor, or a single arm acting
as one conductor, and an external or internal wire acting as a
second conductor. The use of two arms minimizes design and
aesthetic flexibility. The use of either an internal or external
wire complicates or prevents telescoping ability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the invention include a telescoping power
medium having a first end and a second end. The first end of the
medium is attached to a power source and the second end of the
medium is attached to a power receiver. The telescoping power
medium can be telescopically positioned at any one of several
distances and has an outer collapsible conductor surrounding an
inner collapsible conductor.
[0009] A preferred embodiment is a light fixture having a lighting
track; a base coupled to the lighting track; a lamp housing coupled
to the base; and a telescoping arm. The arm has a first end
attached to the base and a second end attached to the lamp housing.
The telescoping arm allows the lamp housing to be telescopically
positioned at any one of several distances from the base. The
telescoping arm comprises an outer collapsible conductor
surrounding an inner collapsible conductor. The lamp housing may
pivot from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the telescoping arm. The
lamp housing may be 360 degrees rotatable around the axis of the
base. The outer collapsible conductor may be a conductive material
or a low voltage material. The inner collapsible conductor may be a
conductive material, such as but not limited to, aluminum, tin,
copper, steel, or any alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the inner
collapsible conductor is brass. There may be insulation between the
inner collapsible conductor and the outer collapsible conductor.
The lighting track supplies power to the light housing via the base
and the telescoping arm. The lamp housing also includes a light
bulb which may be a line voltage, low voltage incandescent,
halogen, xenon, fluorescent, metal halide, high and low pressure
sodium or LED bulb.
[0010] An alternative embodiment is a telescoping light fixture arm
having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm is
adapted to electrically connect to a lighting track and the second
end of the arm is adapted to electrically connect to a lamp
housing. The arm comprises an outer collapsible conductor
surrounding an inner collapsible conductor. The telescoping arm
allows the lamp housing to be telescopically positioned at any one
of several distances from the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a telescoping light fixture in
the non-extended position.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the telescoping light fixture
of FIG. 1 in the extended position.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment
of the present invention illustrated as a telescoping light fixture
on a track light. The light fixture 10 generally comprises a track
100, a base 200 coupled to the track 100, and a lamp housing 300
secured to the base 200 via telescoping arm 400. In some
embodiments, there may be a plurality of bases 200 coupled to the
track 100. Preferably base 200 is slidably coupled to track
100.
[0014] The track 100 is any track lighting that can be adapted to
electrically connect with the base 200. In some embodiments, the
track 100 is a rail. In alternate embodiments, the track 100
conducts low voltage or line voltage current. In alternative
embodiments, the track 100 may be a rail lighting system.
[0015] The base 200 includes a split adapter housing 202 having a
slot 204 formed therein adapted to receive the track 100. The base
200 also includes a threaded portion (not shown) which receives
support cap 206. The support cap 206 closes an open end of slot
204. Although the combination of a split adapter housing 202 and a
support cap 206 is illustrated as connecting the base 200 to the
track 100, other methods of connecting the base 200 to the track
100 are contemplated as being included in the present invention,
and include without limitation, screws, rivets, mechanical
fasteners, snap and twist fixtures, and the like. In an alternate
embodiment, the base 200 may be coupled to the track via a
plurality of conductors.
[0016] The base 200 may also include a mounting section 208, which
has a yoke 210 rotatably mounted therein. Preferably, the yoke 210
is rotatable 360 degrees about the axis of the base 200. The yoke
210 is also coupled to the telescoping arm 400. The telescoping arm
400 has a first end 402 and a second end 404. The yoke 210 is
connected to the first end 402 of the telescoping arm 400. The lamp
housing 300 is pivotally connected to the second end 404 of the
telescoping arm 400. The lamp housing 300 includes a pivot bracket
302 for positioning the lamp housing 300 from about 0 to about 90
degrees perpendicular to the axis of the telescoping arm 400. FIGS.
1 and 2 show the lamp housing about 90 degrees perpendicular to the
axis of the telescoping arm 400. In other embodiments, the pivot
bracket 302 has a range from about 0 to about 180 degrees along the
axis of the telescoping arm 400. The lamp housing 300 also has a
lamp socket mounted therein (not shown). This lamp socket may be
for a line voltage or low voltage incandescent, halogen, xenon,
fluorescent, metal halide, high and low pressure sodium and LED
bulbs. Although the pivot bracket 302 is illustrated as connecting
the lamp housing 300 to the telescoping arm 400, other methods of
pivotally connecting the lamp housing 300 to the telescoping arm
400 are contemplated as being included in the present invention,
and include without limitation, screws, rivets, mechanical
fasteners, snap and twist fixtures, and the like.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the telescoping arm 400 includes
a plurality of collapsible conductor sections. Preferably, there is
a first conductor section 406, a second conductor section 408 and a
third conductor section 410. The collapsing conductor sections are
telescopically connected to each other. In an alternate embodiment,
the collapsible conductor sections are connected via internal
spring loaded wiring. Although cylindrical conductors are
described, other shapes of nesting conductors are envisioned, such
as, but not limited to, square or rectangular. In alternate
embodiments, the conductors are not nested, but are slidably
connected to each other in a side-by-side fashion. Each of the
collapsing conductor sections are composed of a plurality of
cylindrical conductors. Each of the collapsing conductor sections
has an inner conductor cylinder and an outer conductor cylinder. In
a preferred embodiment, there is insulation between the inner
conductor cylinder and the outer conductor cylinder. In a further
preferred embodiment, there are no wires running inside or along
the collapsing conductor sections. The inner conductor cylinder may
be made of a conductive metal or a conductive material. The inner
collapsible conductor may be a conductive material, such as but not
limited to, aluminum, tin, copper, steel, or any alloy. In a
preferred embodiment, the inner conductor cylinder is constructed
of brass. In a preferred embodiment, the outer conductor cylinder
is a low voltage conductor and may be made of any suitable
material. In an alternate embodiment, the outer conductor may be a
high voltage conductor with insulation or a line voltage conductor
and may be made of any suitable material. The telescoping arm 400
may be linear or capable of curvature. Since each of the collapsing
conductor sections 406, 408, and 410 remain in intimate electrical
contact with adjacent sections, the electric circuit between the
track 100, and the lamp housing 300 also remains intact and allows
the lamp to light. Power to the track is supplied by any known
manner known to one skilled in the art. During operation of the
light fixture 10, electrical current is supplied from the track 100
and enters the lamp housing through the base 200. The current
proceeds to travel through the telescoping arm via the internal
telescoping conductor and enters the lamp housing 300 where it
proceeds to the bulb. The current then exits the lamp housing 300
and back into the telescoping arm 400 via the outer telescoping
conductor and back into the track 100. The current may be high, low
or line voltage.
[0018] In alternate embodiments, there are a plurality of lamp
housings 300. The lamp housings 300 may be positioned at any
location along the tracks simply by removing the support caps and
disengaging the base from the track. In as much as the voltage
operating through the track is of low voltage of about 12 volts, or
other low voltage, it is possible for a person who does not have
any training as an electrician to move the lamps or to add lamps
without the risk of electrocution. The low voltage is safe for even
those who are not experienced in electrical matters. In an
alternate embodiment, the voltage operating through the tracks is
of high or regular voltage, such as that used for typical track or
rail lighting fixtures. Low voltage is as described by the National
Electric Code (NEC) section 411 as being 30 VAC or less and limited
to 25 AMPS.
[0019] The base 200 is mounted on the track 100 by placing the
track 100 into slot 204, then screwing support cap 206 onto the
threaded portion to lock the track 100 into the base 200. Contacts
(not shown) within the base 200 are in electrical connection with
the respective conductors of the track 100. A bulb is mounted in
the lamp housing 300 to be energized by the voltage current flowing
in the track. The bulb may be a line voltage or low voltage
incandescent, halogen, xenon, fluorescent, metal halide, high and
low pressure sodium and LED bulb. The inner and outer conductor
cylinders are in electrical connection with the lamp housing so as
to supply current to the lamp when the lamp is mounted in the lamp
housing.
[0020] Although a telescoping light fixture is shown in the
drawings, an alternative embodiment is a telescoping power medium
that includes a plurality of collapsible conductor sections. The
collapsing conductor sections would be telescopically connected to
each other. In some embodiments, the collapsible conductor sections
are connected via internal spring loaded wiring. Each of the
collapsing conductor sections are composed of a plurality of
cylindrical conductors. Although cylindrical conductors are
described, other shapes of nesting conductors are envisioned, such
as, but not limited to, square or rectangular. Although nesting of
the conductors is described, it is envisioned that the conductors
are telescopically coupled in a side-by-side fashion. Each of the
collapsing conductor sections has an inner conductor cylinder and
an outer conductor cylinder. In a preferred embodiment, there is
insulation between the inner conductor cylinder and the outer
conductor cylinder. In a further preferred embodiment, there are no
wires running inside or along the collapsing conductor sections.
The inner conductor cylinder may be made of a conductive metal or a
conductive material. The inner collapsible conductor may be a
conductive material, such as but not limited to, aluminum, tin,
copper, steel, or any alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the inner
conductor cylinder is constructed of brass. In a preferred
embodiment, the outer conductor cylinder is a low voltage conductor
and may be made of any suitable material. In an alternate
embodiment, the outer conductor is a high voltage conductor with
insulation and may be made of any suitable material. The
telescoping power medium may be linear or capable of curvature.
Since each of the collapsing conductor sections remain in intimate
electrical contact with adjacent sections, the electric circuit
between the sections also remains intact and allows the power to
transmit through the sections. Power to the sections is supplied by
any known manner known to one skilled in the art. During operation
of the power medium, electrical current is supplied from a power
source, such as but not limited to a transformer, and travels
through the telescoping sections via the internal telescoping
conductor. The current proceeds to an electrically powered device,
for example a light fixture. The current then exits the
electrically powered device through the telescoping section via the
outer telescoping conductor and back into the power source. The
current may be high, low or line voltage.
[0021] Although a one-to-one relationship between the base,
telescoping arm and light fixture is shown, multiple bases,
multiple telescoping arms and multiple light fixtures are also
envisioned. For example, a plurality of bases attached to a light
fixture by an equal plurality of telescoping arms. Although a
one-to-one relationship between telescoping power mediums, a power
source and an is shown, multiple telescoping power mediums,
multiple power sources arms and multiple electrically powered
devices are also envisioned. For example, a plurality of power
mediums attached to an electrically powered device by an equal
plurality of power sources.
[0022] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of
the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing
description of a preferred embodiment. While the device shown is
described as being preferred, it will be obvious to a person of
ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined in the following claims. For example, the
telescoping sections may be used as the track or rail. Therefore,
the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited
to the description of the preferred embodiment contained
herein.
* * * * *